Dr. Richardson, had also made a successful journey, having explored eight hundred and sixty-three miles of coast line between the mouth of the Mackenzie and the mouth of the Coppermine, and traveled nineteen hundred and eighty[1] geographical miles.
The success of these two explorations put the company in good spirits, and the following winter of 1826 was passed pleasantly at Fort Franklin. Franklin started for home in February, and reached England September 26, 1827, after an absence of two years and seven months.
Two months after his arrival he married Jane, daughter of John Griffin, Esq. This lady, Franklin's second wife, was a very remarkable woman, of whom we shall hear more.
All England was delighted with the results of this second land journey. Franklin and Richardson together had surveyed 37° of longitude along the Arctic shore of North America. The coast from the mouth of the Coppermine westward to Beechey point had been proved to be open for navigation, while from Beechey point to Icy cape it was undoubtedly open.
To complete a northwest passage it was only needful to find a gap to the eastward, connecting this pathway for ships with the older discoveries on the Atlantic side. Over one thousand miles of American coast had been explored, maps and charts had been made, and knowledge in all branches of science had been increased.
The honor of knighthood was conferred upon Captain Franklin, who was afterward to be known as Sir John Franklin. Parry's expedition in search of the northwest passage had been unsuccessful.
- ↑ Franklin's own book gives 1989 miles. Greely's Hand Book gives 1709 miles.
